Foundations of Comparative Politics: Democracies of the Modern World

by Kenneth Newton, Jan W. van Deth

Overview

Now in its fourth edition, this textbook gives a clear and concise account of the government and politics of democratic states, comprehensively updated with recent developments. It provides an ideal guide for undergraduate students who want to understand how and why democratic systems differ between countries and how they are changing in the modern world. It is written and structured in an easy to follow style, enabling students to gain a thorough understanding of the explanations behind complex ideas and theories. The 'Briefings' and 'Controversies' sections give life to the analyses with illustrations drawn from around the globe, whilst its 'Key Term' entries provide students with a route through the concepts of political science. The fourth edition has been fully revised to reflect recent changes in political attitudes and behaviour, voting, parties, party systems and ideologies. The final chapter addresses the future of democratic states facing with these changes and challenges, by examining democratic crisis, populism and post-democracy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108927390
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/21/2021
Series:	Cambridge Textbooks in Comparative Politics
Edition description:	4th ed.
Pages:	452
Product dimensions:	6.85(w) x 9.69(h) x 0.83(d)

About the Author

Ken Newton is Professor Emeritus at the University of Southampton. His recent publications include Surprising News: How the Media Affect–and Do Not Affect–Politics (2019), Evaluating Democratic Innovations (with Brigitte Geisel, 2012), The Wit and Humo(u)r of Political Science (with Lee Sigelman, Kenneth Meier and Bernard Grofman, 2010).

Jan W. van Deth is Professor Emeritus of Political Science and International Comparative Social Research at the University of Mannheim (Germany) and Project Director at the Mannheim Centre for European Social Research (MZES). He published widely in the fields of political culture and participation, social change, and comparative research methods. He is a Corresponding Member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).

Table of Contents

Introduction; Part I. The State: Origins and Development: 1. The development of the modern state; 2. States and democracy; 3. Democratic change; Part II. The Policy: Structures and Institutions: 4. Constitutions; 5. Presidential and parliamentary government; 6. Multi-level government: international, national and sub-national; 7. Policy making and legislating: executives and legislatures; 8. Implementation: the public bureaucracy; Part III. Citizens, Elites and Interest Meditation: 9. Political attitudes and behaviour; 10. Pressure groups and social movements; 11. The media; 12. Voters and elections; 13. Party government; Part IV. Policies and Performance: 14. Political ideologies; 15. Policy making; 16. Public speaking and public policies; 17. The future of the democratic state.

Editorial Reviews

‘Kenneth Newton and Jan W. van Deth have become so effective at presenting key theoretical concepts and a rich array of empirical material in an engaging and accessible style that I’m not at all surprised that Foundations of Comparative Politics is going into its fourth edition. This newest version provides an insightful analysis of the dynamics of populist authoritarianism and the future of democracy. It’s first-rate work.’ Ronald F. Inglehart, Lowenstein Professor of Political Science Emeritus, University of Michigan

‘This book does what it says on the cover: it provides an excellent guide to the foundations of comparative democratic politics. It states concepts clearly and provides up to date examples, data and topics for debate.’ Richard Rose, Professor of Politics, University of Strathclyde, and author of How Referendums Challenge European Democracy: Brexit and Beyond

From the Publisher